STOP Tribal Genocide! Protecting Tribal ABUSED from Tribal ABUSERS Shouldn't create an ethical dilemma! Tribal Disenrollment is Rampant in Casino Tribes.The Mark Macarro led Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians Practices Apartheid and Segregation on their Rez and they've Stripped Citizenship from 25% of the tribe.
RICH tribes may have the Rolexes, but WE have the Time to fight for OUR Civil and Human RIGHTS.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

An OPEN LETTER TO PECHANGA CHAIRMAN MARK MACARRO

Dear Chairman Macarro,

I hope you were able to see the KCBS-TV investigative report on tribal disenrollments at Pala and Pechanga. I wrote to Chairman Smith at Pala and wanted to take a moment and address you as well.

I wanted to give you notice that until our unconstitutional disenrollments are overturned, it is our intention to continue to expose the gross injustice that has occurred under your leadership. Your initial response on camera during the KNBC expose done by Colleen Williams and your refusal to be interviewed by Ms. Fajardo of KCBS continue to expose your lack of moral and courageous leadership.

In response to your letter to Ms. Fajardo, you claimed our due process rights were guaranteed and upheld. However, you failed to state that no attorneys were allowed at our hearings; we were never allowed to question our accusers and we were not granted the right to have an individual hearing. No oversight was given to the Pechanga enrollment committee and several members of that committee were allowed to make this critical decision about our family even though their membership criteria was also in question, and they had been removed from the committee just prior to this decision.

Historical documents were provided by the tribe’s own expert that proved we were from Pechanga and were certified. You continue to ignore the fact that the enrollment committee disenrolled the 125 members of the Hunter Family solely on hearsay evidence that was accepted from a child molester in prison. His statement included the straw man argument that some were allotted tribal land even though they were not Pechanga; however no substantiated evidence by even one credible source was ever given or confirmed this statement. Those who received an allotment were clearly identified as to their tribal affiliation, and throughout the history of the Pechanga reservation, this one identifying criteria had never been questioned except under your watch. Paulina Hunter was head of household, receiving 20 acres by a charter signed by President William McKinley. We still have our allotment after 117 years and shall never give it up. Can your family make the same claim?

Mr. Macarro, why were neither you, nor your brother listed on the 1979 original census? Hunter family members have continually had ties to Pechanga land since the founding of the reservation. Hunter family members have had enrollment numbers in the top 100. Your name does NOT appear, nor does that of your father. Did your family cut ties to the tribe, as the Pechanga enrollment committee accused Manuela Miranda of doing as a five year old? Current tribal members including former chairwoman Jennie Miranda and current councilman Russell “Butch” Murphy do not appear on that census either. The claim that we came after the casino is a “BLATANT LIE”.

Mark, you also stated that the moratorium was put in place to allow the overworked enrollment committee time to review files and ensure the integrity of the enrollment process is upheld. Is 15 years not enough time to review the legitimate applications that have been submitted? Why haven’t those records been corrected after all of these years? How can you legitimately keep out the Tosobol family, who has proof of lineage, land from an original allotment and relatives on the council? The enrollment moratorium should have been applied uniformly to all tribal members. How is it that former enrollment committee chair, Bobbi LeMere’s sisters were granted tribal membership. How could these women be granted membership if there was a moratorium? What did they have to do to be granted this privilege?

We will continue to inform civil rights groups of the blatant practices that you are subjecting our people to including our young and elderly by not allowing Hunter Family allottees to use basic amenities like the water fountains and public restrooms on the reservation that they share. You are practicing the same small minded tactics employed in the ‘Segregated South.” These are acts that I am sure the Democratic Party would not approve. We will make sure that the Party is aware of these issues as well as the Native American Caucus.

You have already lost an important water right's fight (HR 4285 and HR 5413). You, the council and your million dollar lobbyists, while staying at the finest accommodations in Washington D.C. were defeated by 3 of our family representatives who parked their car in front of their motel door. You tried to negotiate allottee rights to water, even when you never communicated your intent to do so. Committee members simply couldn’t stomach the subterfuge when confronted with evidence of lies and, unfortunately, Pechanga and its people lost millions. It's funny how you would try to use our family’s numbers to augment potential gains.

• You abused tribal elders by taking away their heritage, their healthcare, and shifting those costs to the government of the United States and the State of California.

• You destroyed the futures of our youngest tribal members, and scarred several by sending troopers to forcibly evict them from their tribal school.

• You have threatened those living on the reservation with fines and banishment for using recreation facilities.

• You sent tribal rangers trespassing on private property to deliver the threatening letter about trespassing. • You have failed to defend the Pechanga Constitution.

• You have not protected the tribe from criminal activity, including misuse of tribal credit cards for family vacations.

• You were threatened with recall for hiring your wife’s lobbying firm without tribal approval • Most egregiously you have barred legitimate tribal members from being buried with their ancestors and/or visiting their deceased family member gravesites.

Chairman Macarro, we will continue to fight for our rightful return to the tribe. The Pechanga Tribal Council under you leadership has already cost the people millions of dollars that could have been used to uphold the promises that you made while fighting for tribal self reliance. It would be in the best interests of the tribe to bring all legitimate people including those unlawfully disenrolled and those caught up in the illegal moratorium, back where they belong.

The positive response to such an act of courage would be incalculable and it would turn the negative spotlight off of our tribe and onto other tribes that have been emboldened by your actions. The actions of Pechanga have not just affected us, but thousands of natives who have been wrongfully terminated from their tribes by corrupt tribal governments. While not the first, you are the most prominent violator of civil and human rights amongst California’s Indian Gaming country. It’s no wonder San Manuel doesn’t have Pechanga represented in their commercials.

We look to you for JUSTICE. Please look at the previous records of decision, your mistaken decision to not uphold the will of the people and DO THE RIGHT THING

260 comments:

Chairman Macarro will do anything to hold his reign of terror, I mean power. Even protecting tribal members that have stolen millions of dollars from his tribe and others. If anything he has proven to the federal Government that he can not rule as a sovereign Nation. Sovereignty is not an excuse for corruption.

From everything I've heard about this little temper tantrum punk weasal, we can take solice in knowing he is as miserable as can be, and for someone who is so prideful and wants ts to be famous, he has become loathed and an embarrassment to Indian Country.

This is the best letter i've read in a long time, you put mark to shame, thank you for mentioning the TOSOBAL family, that rat bastard has done enough damage to everyone,I hope this letter changes everything,I take pride in knowing you keep up the very good work!

Mark Macarro is a joke. Finally there are people who are lobbying Congress and also exposing his exploits to the press who will fry his ass for all he has and has not done. Time is on our side and Macarro yours is just about up. I promise.

I am surpassed the government is not already involved. This whole thing is sad to hear. I gues that's why we need to also have changes made this election year. The government is not protecting these people. How sad.

HEY PECHANGA TRIBE. Vote Macarro out. GET RID OF THAT ASSHOLE. LOOK WHAT HE IS DOING TO YOU. Do you want the government to come in and take it all away. That's is what is going to happen if you let him keep it up. You are not above the law.

Most of you have no idea what you'rer talking about. Ever hear that saying there are two sides to every rumor? Talk about being lead around blindly. You are taking all this talk and running with it. Find out the truth!

I cannot wait to hear all the lies on the two sides of the story. The heat is just starting BTW. This thing on what Pechanga is not going away. Watch soon fo a piece on 20/20 and on Datline. The truth will come out and the pressure will be on the politicians to finally do their job.

these Pechanga people are liars and thieves. I saw a letter on this site that says that the relatives of a Pualina Hunter are from Pechanga but the tribe ignored that. Shows you their meaning of integrity.

This guy Macarro is their ring leader. Shows you what they are all about. I knew when I saw that channel 2 news report that the Indian tribes are just a bunch of crooks and liars. Does no matter what they say.

It was brought up there are two sides of this. Well it can be settled very easily for the integrality of Pechanga’s council. There is a federal statue set by congress for the B.I.A. on disenrollment disputes and it is ruled by the tribes own constitution and bylaws. How does the Pechanga lose integrity by letting the Bureau of Indian Affairs arbitrate this issue? Well Mark if like you stated the disenrollment was for the integrity of the tribal government , culture and history and not money or political power then settle this once and for all for everyone to see the Hunters were disenrolled for the right rezones and no for greedCommissioner of Indian Affairs Delegation of Authority Regarding Tribal Enactments Section 18 Paragraph (3) states Tribal enactments disenrolling persons found not to meet the established enrollment criteria. The Commissioner’s approval of such action shall be subject to appeal to the Secretary of the Interior.Paragraph (4) The Commissioner shall forward to the Secretary, with a recommendation, ordinances, resolution, or contracts which, in the opinion of the Commissioner are: Inconsistent with an act of Congress or with a treaty or with tribal constitution or charter under which the ordinance, resolution, or contract was adopted, enacted, or negotiated; or should be disapproved or rescinded for any other reason.Paragraph (5) Notwithstanding the provision of section 25 of this order, the Commissioner shall not redelegate the authority granted in this paragraph to any officer or employee who pursuant to a tribal constitution or charter passes upon ordinance, resolution, or contracts. Well Mark the United States the media are waiting to see how much integrity Pechanga’s Government has.

Macarro does not care about the law. You are wasting your time with all that crap. He only understand protecting hs ass. IT IS TIMES FOR THE GOVERNMENT, THE MEDIA AND THE REST TO DO THEIR JOBS. time to put Macarro and the rest under the microscope. time to quit being nice. Boycott Pechanga like they saiid and bring these assholes to justice. Justice For all.

I heard from a tribal member that mark is not going to disenroll Jennie but only have her band from the casino and she wont be aloud to hold a poistion in the tribal goverment. This must be for the integritiy of the tribal goverment.

Anonymous said... It was brought up there are two sides of this. Well it can be settled very easily for the integrality of Pechanga’s council. There is a federal statue set by congress for the B.I.A. on disenrollment disputes and it is ruled by the tribes own constitution and bylaws. How does the Pechanga lose integrity by letting the Bureau of Indian Affairs arbitrate this issue? Well Mark if like you stated the disenrollment was for the integrity of the tribal government , culture and history and not money or political power then settle this once and for all for everyone to see the Hunters were disenrolled for the right rezones and no for greedCommissioner of Indian Affairs Delegation of Authority Regarding Tribal Enactments Section 18 Paragraph (3) states Tribal enactments disenrolling persons found not to meet the established enrollment criteria. The Commissioner’s approval of such action shall be subject to appeal to the Secretary of the Interior.Paragraph (4) The Commissioner shall forward to the Secretary, with a recommendation, ordinances, resolution, or contracts which, in the opinion of the Commissioner are: Inconsistent with an act of Congress or with a treaty or with tribal constitution or charter under which the ordinance, resolution, or contract was adopted, enacted, or negotiated; or should be disapproved or rescinded for any other reason.Paragraph (5) Notwithstanding the provision of section 25 of this order, the Commissioner shall not redelegate the authority granted in this paragraph to any officer or employee who pursuant to a tribal constitution or charter passes upon ordinance, resolution, or contracts. Well Mark the United States the media are waiting to see how much integrity Pechanga’s Government has.

The key here is to get the government, (US government) the media and the voters on this. Hiding behind sovereignty does not work always. Look at Egypt and Libya. What's right is right. The US government should be leading the way.

I can only imagine it, kids getting into trouble on the Rez (as kids tend to do) and Tribal security being called. Here comes Ron Rivera who works for Tribal Security. As he picks up the poor child and takes him to a nice safe secure spot where he or she will be "safe", Vincent Ibanez's house.

Sending all of this stuff to the media. Hide behind that you sovereignty freaks. Nothing you can do when the politicians become threatened about their re-election bid. Campaign contributions you give won't matter then. Keep it up Macaaro, when this is all done, the first thing that is going to be done is an audit.

STOP TRIBAL DISENROLLMENT

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Tribal Disenrollment is Killing Off Generations of Indians

STOP TRIBAL DISENROLLMENT! The most egregious human rights issues that's gripped Indian Country over the last decade include the taking of ones citizenship; denial of basic rights and freedoms; and the severing of spiritual and cultural ties to ones people and land.Replacing actual physical genocide acts like disenrollment, the denial of citizenship is “killing off” generations of Indian people.